THE POP CULTURE RAG VOL. 12

Emily Ratajkowski Shuts Down Piers Morgan

We gotta say--we’re really looking forward to the day that we don’t write about Piers Morgan anymore. But alas, the troll has come a-knockin’ and we’re here to uneasily open the door.

Actress and model Emily Ratajkowski is Morgan’s latest Twitter target, and she was up for the challenge. Per usual, his attack was unwarranted and unprovoked, yet he managed to center Ratajkowski’s tweet around his own commentary. Like, again. Following in her friend Kim K’s footsteps, Emily stopped the aggressive body-shaming swiftly, and did not engage in a Twitter war with Morgan .

The tweet in question is a nude of the actress, featured in this months Harper's Bazaar. She captioned it “Such an honor to be photographed as Lady Godiva & interviewed by @naomirwolf." Piers Morgan came out of whatever bridge he lives under and tweeted "Do you want me to buy you some clothes? You look freezing." Emily fired back with the snap worthy response "@piersmorgan thanks, but I don't need clothes as much as you need press." (Insert all the clap emjois plz.)

Morgan used Ratajkowski’s one (literally just the one) response as an opening to ridicule and bombard her through a series of tweets that questioned her body and her voice. We won’t post them, because they’re gross and cheap, but it does show where we currently are in terms of women's bodies in Hollywood (i.e. not where we wanna be.) Ratajkowski’s choice to pose nude for Harper's Bazaar is entirely hers and hers alone, and it’s not for or about Piers Morgan. Morgan makes Ratajkowski nude photo shoot, one that she was proud of, about how it impacts him, but Ratajkowski refuses his opportunity by reminding us what this is all about--Morgan receiving attention and press.

Gretchen Carlson Files Lawsuit Against Fox News CEO

Gretchen Carlson, a former Fox & Friends host and former star of The Real Story With Gretchen Carlson, ended her relationship with Fox News when her contract expired on June 23rd. 13 days later, she filed a lawsuit against Fox News CEO, Roger Ailes, claiming sexual harassment, and it’s echo ran through the halls of Fox and beyond. If people weren't listening to Carlson before, ya better believe they’re all ears now.

Carlson was parodied on SNL for years, but it’s the actual footage of sexual harassment recorded and on the air that is downright shocking. From comments on her appearance, to unsolicited questions about her grooming regimen, to literally being called a skirt (is your blood boiling???) Carlson has been on the receiving end of sexually suggestive and sexist comments for years. She was on F&F for 8 years (8 YEARS) and nothing seemed to be done until she moved to her own show in 2013. Watching footage of Carlson on Fox & Friends is downright disturbing-- you can sense her frustration under her forced smile, and her attempts to subtly call out her coworkers for their sexist behavior. Carlson is now claiming that she received sexist treatment off screen as well, citing that Ailes “sabotaged her career because she refused his sexual advances.” She also cited “severe sexual harassment” and Ailes “ostracized and shunned her, and was clear her that her treatment would improve if she had sex with him.”

In a statement, Carlson wrote, “I had to stand up for myself and speak out for all women and the next generation of women in the workplace.”

Since Carlson’s lawsuit, it has been reported that “at least 10” women want to speak with her lawyer, Nancy Erika Smith, regarding their workplace experience with Ailes (you can read a few pieces of their experience here.) Carlson’s bravery and openness has created a safe space for more women to come forward and share their story. Now let’s get on with the lawsuit, shall we??

And, as always, #webelieveyou.

Kim Kardashian Is On The Cover Of Forbes Magazine

Kim Kardashian is on the cover of Forbes magazine (!!!) this week as one of Silicon Valleys newest mobile moguls. If you're surprised that Kardashian is on the cover, Forbes has provided the hard numbers: The Kim Kardashian Hollywood game that has been downloaded 45 million times and generated $160 million in revenue. Kardashian, known for always being one step ahead of her haters, released the photo on her Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #NotBadForAGirlWithNoTalent. Not bad, indeed.

It is a big deal for a women to be on the cover of Forbes and an even bigger deal that the topic surrounds a field that is infamously male-dominated. The Forbes article highlights the fact that Kardashian does not simply lend her name-- the self proclaimed "control freak" always has the final say, and hand picks every detail, down to the emoji. Yet, when people see this cover, they will scoff and say she has no talent, or that she doesn’t deserve to be there. Well, guess what? Kardashian already knows what you’re thinking, and she is all-too happy to reclaim the “No talent” label and turn it on it’s head.

Not bad, right?

Celebrities Show Solidarity in Black lives Matter Movement

In the wake of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile's deaths, celebrities have reached out to console, create awareness, and spark change. On Friday, Beyonce posted an Instagram that read “WE ALL HAVE THE POWER TO CHANNEL OUR ANGER AND FRUSTRATION INTO ACTION.” On her official website, Beyoncé.com, Beyoncé encourages her fans to take action is what she believes is a “human fight” by contacting their local politicians and legislators. Meanwhile, her sister, Solange, posted a heart wrenching video of her singing Syreeta's "Black Maybe” to Instagram. “...trying to comfort my weary heart….” wrote the singer, “But what is comfort when the images of slain black bodies left to bleed are sketched into your being...over and over again.” The singer has continued to post updates on Baton Rouge, the location of Sterlings death, to Twitter, and has been vocal about her support to the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

Along with the Knowles sisters, influential celebrities have been speaking out regarding their support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Kim Kardashian penned an essay on her website (the only piece of content that you do not need to pay for) and expressed her concern for her biracial children who could be subjected to prejudice or violence, and has a link where you can find your local legislator. “Hashtags are not enough,” she wrote, “This must end now.”

Singer Victoria Monet and Ariana Grande have recorded a song called Better Days in response to the current police shootings and in support of Black Lives Matter. Some of the lyrics include: “But how we gonna stop the violence?// Stop the hurting? Stop the hatred? Stop the murders?// We're all human, that's for certain// Come together, we deserve it// What kind of life will our babies have?// If we don't change up and make it last?”

Other celebrities, including LeBron James, Rashida Jones, Shonda Rhimes, Olivia Wilde, and John Legend have reached out sharing their support, and are encouraging others to do the same. To contact your local representative, click here.

#BalckLivesMatter

Serena Williams Wins Wimbledon (& that's the story here, folks!)

Serena Williams won Wimbledon! Aaaand she won doubles with her sister, Venus! She won her match against Elena Vesnina (the match that won her the finals) in 49 minutes. We’re trying to think of the greatest thing we've accomplished in 49 minutes, and it may just be finishing a whole pizza.

During the press conference after, ya know, winning Wimbledon, a reporter said “There will be talk of you going down as one of the greatest female athletes of all time. What do you think when you hear someone talk like that?” Williams responded “I prefer the word ‘One of the greatest athletes of all time.” (Brb, having a good cry/feelin' real inspired.)

There has been a lot of talk about other things that happened at Wimbledon, and we don’t quiteeee understand it’s significance. An actor may or may not have been fighting with his model girlfriend (we didn’t realize celebrity couples we’re not allowed to have disagreements), and Beyoncé's reaction to Serena winning Wimbledon has been under intense investigation (again, do not see the importance aside from Beyoncé supporting her friend and like standing up last is kinda/maybe funny, I guess???) but the most important, newsworthy part of this day is that Serena Williams won Wimbledon and reminded the world that she is one of the best athletes of all time. Period.

& a lil bonus feature..

A THINX ORIGINAL: BETWEEN TWO HOLES

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